Railway



Jan. 20, 1948. c. E. TACK ET AL RAILWAY BRAKE Original Filed Sept. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

ks/ OQM ien/ 0w JUL 1943- c. E. TACK ET AL RAILWAY BRAKE Original Filed Sept. 6, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w mm 9% @N wwN Nm Q ON QN NN Jan. 20, 1948. C. E. TACK ET AL RAILWAY BRAKE Original Filed Sept. s, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 M w m IN V EN TORS.

Z/esydi (#fiyfew Ram-ta Jan. 20, 1948 RAILWAY BRAKE Carl E. Tack and Wesley A; Helsten, Chicago, Ill.,

alsignors to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New Jersey Original No. 2,399,071, dated No. 501,863, September ,11948. Application for reissue March 21, 1947, fierlal No. 736,193

1 24 Claims.

Our invention relates to railway brake mechanism and is illustrated in an embodiment utilizing a four wheel passenger car truck. Our invention is more particularly concerned withthe application to railway car trucks of a practical disc brake arrangement wherein clasp brake means is supported from the truck frame for engagement with rotor discs carried on the supporting wheel and axle assemblies.

The general object oi our invention is to devise a rotor braking arrangement 'for a railway car truck which will be generally applicable to existing types of trucks and will suitably meet the existing manufacturing standard requirements, such as clearance conditions, standards of strength and the like.

A more specific object of our invention is to devise such a brake utilizing an independent brake support associated with each wheeland axle assembly and conveniently supported from the equalizer normally utilized in the common type 01' passenger car truck.

Our novel structure contemplates an arrangement wherein the brake supports may be supported intermediate the wheels and may be resiliently carried from the equalizers at opposite sides of the truck, to which equalizers may also be connected a torque arm at one side of the truck or at both sides as may be desired. As illustrated, said torque arm may project toward the adjacent wheel and axle assembly or away from it as may be convenient with the particular trucl structure utilized, but. generally speaking, the more suitable structure and lighter weights may be utilized when the torque arm projects toward the adjacent wheel and axle assembly.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one side of a railway car structure utilizing our invention. the other half being symmetrical thereto.

Figure 2 is a side view of the truck and brake arrangement shown in Figure 1, the right half thereof being in elevation and the left half thereof being in section along the vertical longitudinal plane bisecting the truck.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line- 3-4 of Figure 1 through the connection of the I brake support torque arm with the equalizer.

Figure 4 is a parallel sectional view taken approximately in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and showing the main connection of the brake support.

with the adjacent equalizer.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view com- Al rll 23, 1946, Serial 2 parable to the view of Figure 1 illustrating a torque arm connected to the equalizer on the side of the brake support remote from the adjacent wheel and axle assembly.

Figure 6 is a sectional view in vertical plane indicated-by the line B-B of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view approximately in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line |--I of Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a sectional view comparable to Figure 7 illustrating an alternate form of connection.

- Describing our novel structure in detail, our brake arrangement is illustrated as applied to a four wheel car truck of conventional form utilizing the side rail 2, the end rails 4 and 6, and the spaced transoms B and 10 between which may be supported the usual bolster. The side rail may have conventional pedestal jaws l2, l2 adja-- cent each end thereof for reception of journal :boxes as indicated at l3 (Figure 2, right) within which may be carried in usual manner the journal ends of the supporting wheel and axle assemblies l4, '14. Intermediate each wheel and the adjacent transom may be supported a brake support generally designated Iii, each of said brake supports comprising a main transverse member l8, here illustrated as circular in section (Figure 2), said transverse member supporting at each end'thereof a housing enclosing clasp brake mechanism of a form more particularly described in detail in Tack co-pending application, Serial No. 421,418 filed in the United States Patent Ofllce December 3, 1941, now Patent No. 2,355,120, issued August 8, 1944. v,

The brake-support It may have at each extremity thereof an end bracket 22, the depending leg 24 of which (Figure 4) may have a horizontal portion 26 secured between resilient pads 28, 28 which may be substantially rectangular in form and may be compressed between complementary bearing surfaces on the bottom wall 30 of the spring seat casting generally designated 32 and the clamping piece 34 therebelow, thus affording a resilient connection between the casting 32 and the support IS in the vertical plane of the latter. The spring seat 32 may be seated on the adjacent equalizer 36, respective ends of which may be supported on the journal boxes at opposite ends of the truck in usual manner and as well illustrated at 40 (Figure 2, right). Integrally formed with the end bracket 22 may be the horizontally projecting torque arm 42, the extremity of which may have a flange 44 (Figure 3) received between top and bottom resilient pads 46, 46 which the transverse 3 maybe under comprgsion between the horizontal web I. of the springseat casting 22 and the adjacent clamping piece l0. thereby affording a mail-- lent connection between the seat 22 and the torque arm 42 spaced longitudinally of the truck from the resilient connection at 2|. Each spring seat 82 may aiford support for the adjacent side rail2inusualmannerbycoilspringsi2,i2,as

diagrammatically illustrated at the right of Figure 2. The connections at 22 and I are disposed below the level of the springs 62, thereby affording a compact arrangement wherein the springs 52 may be readilyinspected and replaced without disconnecting the support It from the equalizer II. This arrangement also facilitates assembly and disassembiy of the truck.

The clasp brake mechanism associated with each housing 2| may comprise inboard and outboard brake levers I4 and it (Figure 1) fulcrumed as at is and II respectively from the housing 20 .supportorwemayutiliseatorquearmatonl! and pivotally supporting at their projecting ends as at 82 and il brake heads BI and it carrying brake shoes II and 12 for engagement with the inboard and outboard friction faces of the adjacent brake rotor II. The brake rotor II may be mounted as convenient upon the adjacent wheel and axle assembly It.

The modification illustrated in Figure 5 is generally similar to that just described, including the member I02 of the brake support with the housing I carrying the clasp brake mechanism,

' 1y formed end bracket Iili, a horizontal portion of which may be under compression as at Ill between the top and bottom resilient pads II! and II. which may be secured between the.

clamping piece I24 and the horizontal web I20 of the spring seat casting generally designated I22. Said spring seat casting I22 may support springs tically indicated at I28, I28

upon which may be carried the adjacent side frame in conventional manner and as already described for the preceding modification. The spring seat casting I22 may seat upon the equalizer H2 and be fixed thereto in any convenient manner.

The torque arm Ill may have an end portion I (Figure 7) with the thickening pad I secured at the extremity thereof and confined between resilient pads Ill, ill at opposite sides thereof. Each resilient pad Ill may include a rubber block vulcanized between metal plates and the remote plates may be fixed to inturned fianges I42, I42 integrally formed with the spring seat casting I22. As an alternate the torque arm Ill may be connected as illustrated in Figure 8 wherein it is shown as incorporating an end fiange Ill secured between the resilient means I32, I22 under compression between the clamping piece I and the horizontal web I" of the adjacent portion of the spring seat I22.

In both of the modifications illustrated, it will becleartothoseskilledintheartthatwemay utilineatorquearmateachendofthebrakc one end of the brake support. In the latter case allofthe torque wouldbe take'n'in only one equalizer, of course. at one side of the truck and only under.certain conditions would this be advisable. Under other circumstances a torque arm would be used at each end of thebrake support.

Totholesklll'edlnthoal'tltwlllberendflyapparent that we have devised a brake arrangement wherein the brake support carrying the brake shoes is supported from the equalize which are unsprung members as also are the wheel and axle assemblies on which are carried the brake drums or discs against which the bi ike shoes must hear. The advantages of such an arrangement are obvious inasmuch as the relative movement vertically of the transom and the wheel and axle assembly is relatively negligible as compared with the condition which exists when the brake support is carried from the spring supported portion of the truck frame.-

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course. be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a brake arrangement, a truck structure comprising spaced wheel and axle assemblies, unsprung equalizers supported thereon, spring seats on said equalizers adjacent each assembly, a truck frame spring-supported from said seats and including spaced transoms, and brake mechanism including brake supports carried from said seats intermediate each assembly and the adja-,

cent transom, said brake mechanism being independent of sprung portions of said truck structurc, each of said brake supports comprising clasp brake means with brake shoes for engagement with rotatable means on the adjacent assembly, and each of said brake supports having at each end thereof spaced resilient connections to the adjacent seat, one of said connections being in the vertical plane of said support.

2. In a brake arrangement, a truck structure comprising spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers supported thereon, spring seats on said equalizers adjacent each assemb y. springs on said seats, a truck frame including spaced transoms supported on said springs, and brake mechanism including rigid elements supported from said seats intermediate each assembly and the adjacent transom, said brake mechanism and elements being independent of sprung portions of said truck structure, each of said elements supporting clasp brake means with brake shoes for engagement with rotatable means on the adjacent assembly, and each of said elements having spaced resilient connections to the adjacent seat, one of said connections being in the plane of said element and the other being intermediate the element and the adjacent assembly.

3. In a brake arrangement, a truck structure comprising spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers mounted thereon, spring seats on said equalizers adjacent each assembly, springs you said seats, a truck frame with spaced transoms carried on said springs, and brake mechanism including brake supports resiliently supported from said seats below the level of said springs intermediate each assembly and the adjacent transom and independent of said frame, each of said supports carrying clasp brake means with shoes for engagement with rotatable means on the adiacent assembly, and each of said supports being equalizers intermediate the wheels and carrying brake shoes for engagement with rotatable means on said assembly, said element having torque armsprojecting toward said assembly and connected to respective equalizers, said resilient sup-.

port being in the plane of said element.

5. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers supported therefrom at opposite sides of the truck, spring seat castings mounted on each equalizer adjacent opposite ends thereof, springs on said castings, a truck frame supported from said springs, brake discs mounted on said assemblies, a brake beam extending parallel with each assembly adjacent thereto, a two-point support for each beam comprising means on the associated spring seat castings clamping opposite ends thereof, and friction means carried by said beams for braking engagement with respective discs, said clamping means comprising vertically spaced resilient members compressed against top and bottom surfaces of each end of each beam.

6. In a railway car truck, a wheel and axle assembly mounting brake drums, unsprung truck members carried thereon and supporting spring seats, springs on said seats, a frame member on said springs, and braking means including a rigid support resiliently mounted at spaced points from each of said unsprung members independent of said frame member and carrying clasp brake means for said drums, one of said points being in the plane of said support.

'7. In a brake arrangement fora railway car truck comprising spaced wheel and axle assemblies with braking surfaces, equalizers supported from said assemblies, springs on said equalizers, a truck frame mounted on said springs, a brake beam extending transversely of said truck adjacent each assembly, means on the inboard side of each equalizer resiliently supporting at spaced points the adjacent end of said beam, and friction means carried by said beam for cooperation with the braking surfaces of the adjacent assembly. said points being below the level of said springs.

8. In a brake arrangement for a, railway car truck comprising a. wheel and axle assembly, unsprung members supported therefrom, spring seats on said members, a truck frame resiliently supported from said seats, a brake beam resiliently supported at spaced points from respective seats substantially below the level of said axle, said resilient supports constituting the sole mounting means for said beam with respect to said truck, and braking means carried by said beam for decelerating rotation of said assembly.

9. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers supported therefrom at opposite sides of the truck, spring seat castings mounted on each equalizer adjacent opposite ends thereof, springs on said castings,atruckframesupported from said springs, brake discs mounted on said assemblies, a brake beam extending parallel with each assembly adjacent thereto, a two-point support for 6 each beam comprising means on the associated spring seat castings clamping opposite endsand independent of'said frame, each of said supports carrying clasp brake means with shoes for engagement with rotatable means on the adjacent assembly, and each of said supp rts being resiliently connected at spaced points to at least one of the supporting equalizers, one of said points being in the plane of said support.

11. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, a structure including wheel and axle assemblies, unsprung truck members connecting said assemblies, sprung truck members affording support for an associated car body, and braking means mounted on said unsprung members independent of said sprung members, said braking means including a rigid brake element supporting brake shoes engaging opposite sides of rotating means on one of said assemblies, said brake element comprising a main transverse member resiliently connected at spaced points to each of said unsprung members, one of said connections being approximately in the plane of said transverse member and the other thereof being spaced therefrom longitudinally of said truck. in the di- Eection of the associated wheel and axle assem- 12. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck. a structure including wheel and axle assemblies, unsprung truck member connecting said assemblies, sprung truck members affording support for an associated car body, and braking means mounted on said unsprung members independent of said sprung members, said braking means including a rigid brake element supporting brake shoes engaging opposite sides of rotating means on one of said assemblies, said brake element comprising a main transverse member resiliently connected at spaced points to each of said unsprung members, one of said connections being approximately in the plane of said transverse member and the other thereof being spaced therefrom longitudinally of said truck in the direction of the remote assembly.

13. In a railway car truck, a wheel and axle assembly mounting brake drums, unsprung truck members carried thereon and supporting spring seats, springs on said seats, a frame member on said springs, and braking means including a, rigid support resiliently mounted at spaced points from each of said unsprung members independent of said frame member and carrying clasp brake means for said drums, one of said points being in the plane of said support and both of said points being below the level of said springs.

14. In a railway car truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers supported from said assemblies at opposite sides of the truck, spring seat members mounted on each equalizer adjacent opposite ends thereof, springs mounted on said members, a truck frame supported from said springs. a brake disc on each assembly. a brake 7 be'am extending transversely of said truck adiaeent each assembly and having an L section plate-like member on each end thereof, a twopoint support for each beam comprising spaced resilient pads bearing against the top and bottom,

surfaces of the horizontal legs of. said i. section members, said pads being mounted on the associated spring seat members, and friction means carried by said beams for cooperation with said discs. 15. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, a wheel and axle assembly, equalizers supported therefrom adjacent opposite ends thereof, spring seat members on. respective equalizers, springs on said members. a truck frame supported from said springs, a brake beam extending transversely of said truck and substantially parallel to said assembly, vertically spaced resilient pad mounted on each spring seat member inboard the associated equalizer, said pads clamp ing therebetween a portion of said beam, and friction means on said beam for cooperation with a braking surface on said assembly,

16. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers supported therefrom, spring seat members on said equalizers, springs on said members, a frame member supported from said springs, a braking surface on each assembly, a brake support member adjacent each assembly comprising end portions each having substantially rectangular top and bottom bearing surfaces, resilient means carried by each spring seat member and bearing against the top and bottom surfaces of the adjacent end portion to afford a flexible support therefor, and friction means on each beam for cooperation with the associated braking surface.

17. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising spaced wheel and axle assemblies with braking surfaces, equalizers supported from said assemblies, and a truck frame resiliently supported from said equalizers, a brake beam extending transversely of said truck adjacent each assembly and being entirely disposed at one side thereof, means on the inboard side of each equalizer resiliently supporting the adjacent end of said beam at a point lying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the truck and bisecting said beam, and friction means on said beam for cooperation with the braking surface of the adjacent assembly, said support means being entirely disposed beneath the axle level of said assemblies.

18. In a composite spring seat element for a 19. In a composite spring seat. element for a railway car truck, a member having a top web affording a spring seat. a pocket in one side of saidmember beneath the level of said seat, a clamping piece removably mounted within said pocket. and spaced resilient means in said pocket posed below said seat.

21. In a brake beam for a railway car truck, an elongated member having at each end thereof a portion with substantially flat spring abutment surfaces on opposite sides thereof, said surfaces lying in a plane approximately bisecting said member on the longitudinal axis thereof, and a brake lever fulcrumed on said member and carrying friction means for braking cooperation with an associated brake surface.

22. In a brake element for a railway car truck, an elongated beam having at each end thereof an L-section member, one leg of which is formed on opposite sides thereof with spring abutment surfaces lying in a plane approximately bisecting said beam on the longitudinal axis thereof, and ,a brake lever fulcrumed to said beam and carrying friction means for braking cooperation with an associated brake member.

23. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising an equalizer, a wheel and axle assembly supporting said equalizer, a separable spring seat carried by said equalizer, spring means on said seat, and a truck frame supported by said spring. the combination of a brake beam extending transversely of said truck at one side of said assembly and entirely spaced therefrom, means supporting said beam from said truck comprising a flat portion on said beam disposed in a vertical plane extending transversely of said truck and approximately bisecting said beam longitudinally thereof. and a jawlike structure on said seat receiving said portion of said beam.

24. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising an equalizer, a wheel and axle assembly supporting said equalizer, spring means supported by said seat, and a truck frame supported by said spring means, the combination of a brake beam extending transversely of said truck friction means carried by said lever for braking cooperation with a braking surface of said assembly, and means supporting said beam from said truck comprising a jawlike structure on said seat embracing aportion of said beam at a point lying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the truck and approximately bisecting said beam.

. CARL E. TACK.

WESLEY A. HELSTEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1,172,164 Otto Feb. 15, 1916 2,236,898 1 Eksergian Apr. 1, 1941 2,253,268 Eksergian et al. Aug. 19, 1941 2,276,337 Pflanger Mar, 17, 1942 2,334.024 Nystrom et al Nov. 9, 1943 2,365,460 Eksergian et a1. Dec. 19, 1944 

